9h ADVENTURES IN SOUTH AFRICA 



rection of the gemsboks, in the full expectation of see* 

 ing them flying toward us. After waiting a consider, 

 able time and nothing appearing, I folt convinced that 

 we were wrong, and in this conjecture I judged well. 

 A slight inequality in the plain had concealed from our 

 view the retreating herd, which had started in a north- 

 erly course. Cobus had long since dashed into the 

 Herd, and was at that moment flying across the plains 

 after them, I knew not in what direction. After gal- 

 loping athwart the boundless plains in a state border- 

 ing on distraction, I gave it up, and, accompanied by 

 Jacob, returned to the wagons in any thing but a 

 placid frame of mind. 



About two hours after, Cobus reached the wagon, 

 having ridden the old bull to a stand-still. The old 

 fellow had lain down repeatedly toward the end of the 

 chase, and at length could proceed no further, and 

 Cobus, after waiting some time and seeing no signs of 

 his master, had reluctantly left him. In the height of 

 the day the sun was intensely powerful; I felt much 

 disgusted at my want of luck in my first attempt, and, 

 burning with anxiety for another trial, I resolved to 

 take the field again in the afternoon, more especially 

 as we had not a pound of flesh in camp. Between 3 

 and 4 P.M. I again sallied forth with the same after- 

 riders leading a spare horse. "We cantered across plains 

 to the northeast, and soon fell in with ostriches and 

 quaggas, and, after riding a few miles through rather 

 bushy ground, a large herd of hartebeest cantered across 

 our path, and these were presently joined by two or 

 three herds of quaggas and wildebeests, which kept re- 

 treating as we advanced, their course being marked by 

 clouds of red dust. At length I perceived a herd of ash- 

 c<^ored bucks stealing right away ahead of the other 



